Nissan is promoting CO2 emission management at all business locations and dealerships in Japan, as well as at bases of operations in North America, Europe and China. In all four of these markets the aim is to slash emissions by 1% each year from fiscal 2010. At our offices, we have improved the video and telephone conference facilities, and we use Microsoft's Office Live Meeting web conferencing service to bring participants in multiple locations together when they need to share documents. This not only lessens the number of business trips needed but also improves workplace efficiency and reduces costs.
In Japan we are undertaking a broad range of efforts. For instance, in February 2012 we moved to a paperless system to replace the pay slips that had been distributed to all employees previously. These slips can now be downloaded via the Internet and viewed on computers or mobile phones. Many of our dealers, meanwhile, are making efforts to save energy, including the use of highly efficient air-conditioning, insulation films, ceiling fans and LED lighting.

Recognized "S" ranking under CASBEE

Using the ISO 14001 management processes for evaluating environmental impact, Nissan seeks to optimize its building specifications in the construction and refurbishing stages. Our evaluation metrics in this area include buildings with a smaller environmental footprint, such as lower CO2 emissions; construction methods that produce less waste and emissions; and reduced use of hazardous materials and other quality control tasks. Ongoing improvements are made through the PDCA cycle.
In Japan we also use a performance index, Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE), defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Among Nissan's current business facilities, the Nissan Advanced Technology Center (NATC) in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, and our Global Headquarters in the city of Yokohama have earned CASBEE's highest "S" ranking. The Global Headquarters, in particular, scored a Built Environment Efficiency rating of 5.6, which is a high score of CASBEE rating for a new construction, earning it the distinction as one of the most environment-friendly and efficient buildings in Japan. In addition to its thoroughgoing environment-friendly design, it was recognized for its efficient use of natural energy sources, CO2 emissions reductions, recycling of water and drastic waste reductions.

Environmental Features of Our Global Headquarters

Utilization of natural light

Natural light is maximized with a curtain-wall exterior and active use of sunlight in the central channel of the building, which is collected by five sets of condensing lenses that track the sun automatically. One of the distinctive features of the exterior is the use of window louvers, which control the amount of sunlight, contributing not only to natural lighting but also to air-conditioning energy savings.

Utilization of fresh air and an efficient air-conditioning system

Super-insulated glass and the louvers regulate interior temperatures. Air-conditioning energy consumption is controlled by dampers installed in the exterior wall, which automatically detect wind speed and humidity and allow fresh air to flow into the building. An additional energy-saving feature is the use of ascending air current generated by the building's central channel, which reduces energy required for ventilation.

Reuse of resources and greening

Rainwater and miscellaneous drainage, including that from the kitchen, are processed and used as sanitation water and for plant watering. With the green roof system on the gallery, 11% of the total lot area is devoted to green space.

BEMS (Building Energy Management System)

The building features BEMS, a management and control system that automates and unifies the building's overall energy conservation monitoring and control.